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Pidgin voice & video calls from gmail actually working!! August 30, 2009

Posted by Sayantan in Ubuntu, linux, open source.
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I have been testing video calls from the newly launched pidgin voice/video service. The test was done with a windows user on the other end , on a dell studio 15 laptop running windows vista home premium.

On my end i have been using the latest ubuntu 9.10 alpha4 daily release 29th of august 2009.  This was done as the required  voice /video libraries are currently not available in ubuntu 9.04. Hence you wont see the media option even if you install the latest version of pidgin in Ubuntu 9.04.

The voice is very clear and video is of good quality . I did not run into any trouble with my ancient webcam . Moreover I did not have to configure anything for the voice or video. Everything is very simple and works out of the box. The interface is very simple and user friendly.

I am sure this video call service will again get pidgin back in the default ubuntu installtion.

I even checked out the empathy videocall service for google mail under ubuntu 9.10 alpha 4 with a windows vista user on the other end. It works much bettScreenshoter than in ubuntu 9.04. I guess the new kernel (better video quality) , updated gnome and empathy libraries  are responsible for improved support. In ubuntu 9.04 the voice used to crack and audio was sometimes too shrill to make a normal conversation. But now it is a real treat to talk . By the time Ubuntu 9.10 is released in October, Linux users will have two fantastic clients Pidgin and Empathy to make video calls apart from skype.

Skype 2.1 beta for Linux fraternity August 28, 2009

Posted by Sayantan in Ubuntu, linux, red hat.
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TIme to rejoice for Skype Linux users!!!! Skype developers yesterday released the much awaited beta of skype 2.1 . This new version is hoped to improve on all the pulseaudio related issues in Ubuntu distros and all the other distros using pulseaudio as the main sound server. Plus it is touted to provide better video/voice quality.

Ubuntu 8.10 packaged .deb files are available for download. Surprisingly ubuntu 9.04 support is not mentioned but it is definitely supported!!

Here’s the list of features mentioned in the skype blog.

What’s new in this release:

  • Skype’s SILK codec for outstanding quality with negligible bandwidth usage,
  • HQ video support,
  • PulseAudio support,
  • SMS send support (*Sending SMS requires available Skype Credit),
  • Contact groups,
  • Contact labels, or tags, for easier contact organization,
  • Chat window improvements (typing notification, message editing, s/geeky text/replacement/, new emoticons),
  • Nicer contact list with mood messages and video capability icons,
  • Nicer tray icon.

Download the latest skype 2.1 beta from here now!

Update

The new skype2.1 beta works well with Ubuntu 9.10 alpha 4. I have tested a skype test call on it. But there are video issues which i encountered.

To solve this problem , i follow’d the post by andrew.

Here’s what that needs to be done.

open an empty file and name it something like skype_video.sh and paste the following in it

#!/bin/bash
sleep 2
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l2convert.so skype

save it and right click on it. go to properties
and select execute for all the users.
Now edit the the ubuntu menu.
Right click on the menu -> edit menu
select internet -> select skype -> click properties
in the command box  click on browse and select the skype_video.sh
And thats it.
Now everytime you open skype, your video will be crystal clear

Finally,Skype runs without a glitch in Ubuntu 9.04! July 28, 2009

Posted by Sayantan in Linux Mint, Ubuntu, linux.
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All of us who are using Ubuntu 9.04 &/or its derivatives like super os or linux mint 7 or ultimate edition 2.2 must have had the a few issues with skype.

1. Call drops after approx 4 mins

2. Call muting after approx 4 mins

3. High CPU usage .

4. Crashing of Skype.

Searching through the launchpad bugs on skype i stumbled upon this bug report https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/pulseaudio/+bug/362203

where a few users have given their opinions how to reduce issues on skype. I can confirm that using a few of these steps together, I have managed to run skype without any issues and have made consecutive long calls for more than 30 mins.

Step 1: Install the latest linux kernel from jaunty repos  ie: 2.6.30-10

Step 2: Install skype static from medibuntu repository

Step 3: Set the audio settings (System->Preferences->Sound->Detault mixer tracks) to HDA Intel (Alsa mixer).

Step 4: Then in Skype  change all three sound device options (sound in, sound out, ring) to HDA Intel.

Step 5: click apply.

PS: the new linux kernel has issues with seep and hibernate on my comp. but the 2.6.30-10 kernel has improved graphics, improved sound and improved webcam support. The webcam picture quality has drastically improved in this kernel.

U can see the screenshots below.

HDA intelskypelatest kernel